Falmouth Cruise Shop Ambassadors, known as the “pale blues” due to the distinctive uniform they wear, are a group of 40 to 45 volunteers, whose role is to meet and greet cruise ship passengers when they arrive at the port, offering help, information and directions if required. They are now in their 13th year having been established in 2006 by a group of six local residents.

Keith Collins, who is also a member of Falmouth RNLI Community Sea Safety Team, said: ‘The money was the proceeds of a raffle held at our Christmas party held at The Greenbank Hotel. It was my suggestion that the money could be donated to the Falmouth RNLI appeal.’

After receiving the cheque, Coxswain Jonathan Blakeston expressed his thanks to the Ambassadors and praised them for the important role they played in giving up their time to help visitors, giving them a warm welcome when they arrive and leaving them with a good impression of Falmouth and Cornwall when they depart.

Notes to editors

The photo shows Keith Collins (left) presenting Falmouth Coxswain Jonathan Blakeston with the cheque at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall with members of the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors.

Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors have gained many national and local awards including a gold award from Enjoy England in 2008 for outstanding customer service and in March 2016 were honoured to receive the Spirit of Falmouth award on the personal commendation of Falmouth Mayor Councillor John Body.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.